This juvenile Pacific Gull had found a dead Puffer Fish in the shallows at Ricketts Point and was enjoying a feast all on its own. These fish are highly toxic so I am not sure what the Gull’s tolerance levels were. It did not see eye to eye with the flesh as the second photo shows, then it left the carcass alone.

Another magical sunset down on the dog beach near Sandringham Yacht Club last evening. The first two images are preparing for the setting sun, then suddenly we see the full glory of the disappearing star.

The protected deer of Miyajima Island in the Sea of Japan near Hiroshima are very demanding for food. Deer aside this is one of the most peaceful and beautiful places in Japan. These photos are over a period of time covering three different visits to Japan

Last week I met up with an informal haiku sharing group at the Wheeler Writers Centre in Melbourne. A range of haiku written in very different styles was shared and discussed. Rumi, the main energy behind the group attempts to re-write all offered haiku in 3/5/3 traditional as in one sentence of 7-9 words. I have always written 5/7/5 English haiku but have warmed quickly to this other style.

So here are three haiku offerings in 3/5/3/ with an image of course, ( I always have an image) one is serious, one is nature based and one is humorous.

evening comes

hot day tomorrow

start relaxing

hot heads meet

resolution needed

start talking

car won’t start

not air-conditioned

hot outside

The short stories.

The first is a blazing sunset at Ricketts Point last summer showing off the dust from an Indonesian volcano, ( see an earlier page under sunset for a slightly different image).

The second shows three Crested Terns having an interesting chat , perhaps about the availability of fish. These fascinating birds turn up at Ricketts Point late September and stay around into summer.

The third shows three old blokes, myself included abandoning car on a very hot day. There are a number of interesting stories associated with this image, but all too long to go into. Many readers may wonder what on earth this car is, certainly not Australia’s latest . The car is a story in itself but I do not know it.

Another beautiful sunset at Ricketts Point. At this time early in September the sun sets directly behind the You Yangs on the Western side of Port Phillip Bay.

Jill wondered last night how significant this experience would have been to the local Aboriginal Bunwurrong as they farewelled another day probably feasting on the abundance of seafood available to them.